O'Brien County Conservation Board Rules & Regulations

O’Brien County Conservation Board 

Park Rules and Regulations 

1. Prohibited Acts – It shall be unlawful for any person to destroy, injure, or deface plant life, trees, buildings, or other natural or material property, or to remove any plant life, trees, buildings, sand, gravel, ice, earth, stone, wood or other natural material. [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 461A.35, 461A.41] 
2. Speed Limit – The maximum speed limit of all vehicles shall be 15 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. [IA. CODE 461A.36] 
3. Motor Vehicles – All driving shall be confined to designated roadways. All vehicles shall be parked in designated parking areas, and no vehicle shall be left unattended on park roads, except in the case of an emergency.  All motor vehicles must be operated by licensed persons.  [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 461A.36, 461A.38] 
4. Domestic Animals – No privately owned animal shall be allowed to run at large in any county park or preserve area under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Board. Such animals shall be carried, led by a leash not exceeding six feet in length, or kept confined in or attached to a vehicle.(this rule does not apply to natural resource areas where hunting is allowed)  No animal shall be tied to any tree or shrub, or in such a manner as to cause injury to public property.  No pets are allowed on the beach at Mill Creek or Dog Creek Parks. [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 461A.39, 461A.45] 
5. Horses – Horses must be confined to roadways or designated areas. They are specifically not allowed in any picnic, play, beach, or camping area.  No animal shall be tied to any tree or shrub, or in such a manner as to cause injury to public property.  [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 461A.39] 
6. Littering – No person shall place, throw, discard, or cause to be discarded any waste, refuse, litter, cans, bottles, broken glass, or other foreign substance in any portion of a county park, preserve, or recreational area, or receptacle except those provided for that purpose. No waste, refuse, or garbage shall be transported into a county park, preserve, or recreation area for the purpose of disposing of it.  [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 461A.43] 
7. Fires – No fires shall be built, except in a place provided therefore, and such fire shall be extinguished when site is vacated unless it is immediately used by some other party. [IA. CODE 461A.40] 
8. Firearms – The use by the public of firearms, explosives, and weapons of all kinds (includes, but not limited to, air rifles, slingshots, and gas-operated pellet guns) is prohibited in all county parks and preserves, except in controlled areas designated as hunting areas, rifle ranges, trap shoots, and similar areas. However, any person may use a bow and arrow with attached bow fishing reel and ninety-pound minimum line attached to the arrow to take rough fish under rules and regulations prescribed by the Iowa DNR.  [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 461A.42] 
9. Fireworks – The use by the public of fireworks and explosives is prohibited in county parks, preserves, and recreation areas. [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 461A.42] 
10. Disorderly Conduct – No person shall use threatening, abusive, insulting, profane, or indecent language, or interfere with the use and enjoyment of the parks by others, or be guilty of any other act that constitutes disorderly conduct under Chapter 723 of the Code of Iowa, or an assault under Chapter 708 of the Code of Iowa. 
11. Swimming and Boating – No swimming is allowed except in designated areas. No boating or fishing is permitted in swimming areas.  Only electric trolling motors are allowed on boats.  [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 350.5] 
12. Camping & Rentals – Campers must register upon arrival. Maximum length of stay is 14 days unless staying in a designated seasonal campsite.   Camping is allowed in designated areas only.  Park Officers are authorized to refuse camping/rental privileges and to rescind any and all camping permits/reservations for cause.  [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 461A.48, 461A.49, 461A.50, 461A.51] 
13. Park Closing Time – All persons except registered campers or those with special permission shall vacate the park between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. All registered campers and cabin users shall remain in their respected areas and remain quiet between the hours of 10:30p.m. and 6:00 a.m. [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 461A.46] 
14. Alcoholic Beverage – Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic liquor and wine is prohibited in county parks, preserves, and recreation areas. Containers of beer, including keg beer, larger than one gallon in size are prohibited, except by special permission.  Possession and/or consumption of beer on the beach areas (as posted) at Mill Creek Park, Dog Creek Park, and Douma Park are prohibited.  Consumption of beer in the parking areas of any county park is prohibited.  [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 123.46(2), 350.5, 461A.44] 
15. Special restriction – Items such as bounce houses, sprinklers, splash pads, slip and slides and swimming pool are prohibited on any property managed by O’Brien County Conservation Board. 
16. Statutes Applicable – Sections 461A.35 through 461A.57 apply to all lands and waters under the control of a county conservation board, in the same manner as if the lands and waters were state parks, lands, or waters. [ADOPTED FROM IA. CODE 350.10] 
17. Special Rules – May be posted in addition to the above. [IA. CODE 350.5, 350.10] 
18. Violations and Penalties – Any person violating any of these rules is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. [IA. CODE 461A.57] 

ADOPTED NOVEMBER 2021 – OCCB 

UPDATED FEBRUARY 2023 -OCCB 

Authority: Code of Iowa Chapter 350.5